Symptoms of foot and ankle arthritis often include:

• Tenderness when you touch the joint.
• Pain when you move it.
• Trouble moving, walking, or putting weight on it.
• Joint stiffness, warmth, or swelling.
• More pain and swelling after you rest, such as sitting or sleeping.

Indeed, osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, affects the feet of one in six people over the age of 50.

There are many types of arthritis, but arthritis in the foot and ankle is usually one of three types: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis. Osteoarthritis, often called “wear and tear” arthritis, develops most often in people over age 50.

Pain is most likely the first noticeable symptom of arthritis. You may feel a general pain in the toes or only the big toe. People describe it as ranging from a deep, achy feeling to a sharper, stabbing sensation when they try to move.

Foot Arthritis Starts When You are Younger Typically this wearing down of the cartilage in the joints of the feet is due to overuse. Most people notice swelling and pain in the feet as the cartilage can no longer protect bones from rubbing together.

Although there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatment options available to slow the progress of the disease and relieve symptoms. With proper treatment, many people with arthritis are able to manage their pain, remain active, and lead fulfilling lives.

Your doctor will examine you for joint tenderness and swelling, as well as muscle weakness, to help determine whether you have arthritis. Your doctor may also order X-rays to check for joint damage or blood tests to see if other conditions may be causing your pain. Timely diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is important.

Common symptoms of arthritis in the feet include joint pain or tenderness, joint stiffness or reduced motion, joint swelling, and difficulty in walking.

Toe Arthritis Symptoms. There are a few general symptoms of arthritis in the toes. Toe joint pain, tenderness and swelling are common. Stiffness, locking or the toe joint clicking are also fairly uniform. The toe joint may even feel warm or appear red. Symptoms such inflammation in the feet after inactivity is a common indicator of arthritis.

The most common signs and symptoms of arthritis involve the joints. Depending on the type of arthritis you have, your signs and symptoms may include: Pain. Stiffness. Swelling. Redness. Decreased range of motion.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic inflammatory disease that may affect multiple joints leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness and swelling. When RA affects the foot and the ankle joint the synovium that lines the ends of the bones in the joints thickens and produces an excess of joint fluid.